I am very disappointed in the lack of reviews, but to the few people who are (Annie get your Board, Earthlover, Arctic Cheetah) thanks much!

I'm sorry that she's not a goddess, but I just didn't think that it would roll with the story very well. So I made her a very large portion goddess. Once again, sorry if anyone is really disappointed. But maybe I could make someone else a goddess... hmmm, I'm having fun speculating here....

I should probably stop my babbling and get on to the story now.

Disclaimer: I own the story.

Haha, I said it and the sky didn't fall!!! But sadly, I lied. I do not own PJO.

"Harmony."

I groaned. Why did someone have to wake me? I was having such a lovely dream... what was it about again?

"Harmony, please. Wake up."

Maybe if I ignored them, they'd go away...

"Harmony Arial... er, Daughter of Aphrodite, wake up this instant or I will smack you."

My eyes snapped open. I was too sore to be hit.

"What do you want?" I demanded, squinting into the sunlight. I could only see Elliott's outline as he hovered over me protectively.

"Harmony, you're covered in blood," he said worriedly, "You have another cut on your cheek, and one on your leg. Maybe if we went inside, the water could...?"

I slowly sat up, being careful of my sore head. I examined my leg, and I saw that it was covered in dried, crusty blood. Ick. When did the dragon slash me, anyway? Or did I cut myself later?

I saw that my sword was right under where my leg had been, and was covered in blood. Oh wow. I was probably the only half... er, three-fourth blood to stab myself with my own sword. That, my friend, is an epic fail.

But what about my face? I reached up to touch my face, and I felt a smear of blood. Then I saw that there was a rock under where my face had fallen. Oh my gods. I was such a fail at life.

"Harmony, I think we should get you inside. Once you're healed, we can continue to look for Ella."

I nodded slowly, and then glanced up at him.

"El, did you get cut at all?"

He nodded, and pointed to his own legs, which were covered in bandages.

"I got up a little earlier then you did and I took care of my injuries," He explained, "After you ran to get the swords last night, the dragon lunged at me, bit my legs, and flew away. A few seconds later, I fell unconscious. But I heard you yell my name."

"I'm sorry I wasn't faster," I apologized, "This is all my fault."

My hands instinctively went up to my face to trace the cuts. I could feel the scabs and I groaned. Yesterday, the scabs had been hard and healing. Since the rock had scraped them off, now it would take them longer to heal.

"No, it's not," Elliott said firmly, grabbing my hand and moving it away from my face, "Now, let's go clean up those cuts and get on the road."

***

"This is where the Minotaur went," Elliott whispered in my ear. I could feel his breath tickle the side of my face... what was I thinking? I had to keep my head in the game.

I nodded in response. We were currently ducking behind a large rock, staring at the entrance of a very ominous looking cave in the middle of yet another forest. I was getting gods-damn sick of forests.

How did we know that it was the Minotaur's cave, you ask? Well, it's quite simple. There were minotaur footprints all over the ground. So we decided that we just had to check it out.

"Alright," I whispered, "Here's the plan: go in, find Ella, beat the crap out of the Minotaur, flee, and save the day. Got it?"

Elliott chuckled quietly.

"Harm, your plans always... well, put things in perspective."

I grinned at him, and we both went back to staring at the cave. I felt a rush of fear, followed by anger. Why did the monster have to take Ella? Why couldn't he just... die? Or something?

Elliott started to walk into the cave while I fumed about Ella. But that couldn't stop me forever. Slowly, I rose back up and ran into the cave. The only thing that could help my mood right now was to smash a monster... Hello, Minotaur. I bared my teeth at nothing in particular. When I found that Minotaur... well, he wouldn't now what hit him. I walked deeper into the cave, trying to ignore the sickening stench of blood that rose to my nostrils. My foot kicked something, and I gasped when I realized that it was a skull

A human skull.

I was suddenly very afraid.

"Elliott?" I said tentatively. I heard nothing, only my own footsteps on the damp stone. I quickened my pace. No matter how slowly or quickly I walked, I would still face the same fate.

"Elliott," I said, now panicky, "Elliott, please."

I stopped walking. Another set of footsteps was coming from in front of me. The next thing I knew, Elliott had appeared by my side.

"Shut up," He hissed, "Do you want to Minotaur to find us?"

I bit my lip, "I'm scared."

I saw worry in his eyes as he grabbed my hand.

"Me too, Harm."

We continued to walk, deeper into the cave. Damn, this was a deep cave. Why couldn't the Minotaur just leap out in front of us? That would ease my nerves. I might die sooner, but at least I wouldn't just have to walk... and wait... for my uncertain fate...

"Will you stop that?" Elliott grumbled. I had started humming again.

"Sorry."

A loud clatter came from in front of us. We both froze, looked at each other, and started running forwards. This could be the moment... come on, Minotaur....

We burst into a large cavern. In the middle, lying on a large stone, was Ella. I let out a sigh of relief and ran forwards to her. She was unconscious, but I didn't care. I was just so glad that I had found her. I felt tears starting to leak out of my eyes, but I didn't brush them away. The saltwater felt oddly nice on my cuts.

I examined Ella's body more closely. She had many bruises and cuts all over her. Her clothes were torn and bloodstained, and she had tear streaks going down her dirty face. But even though she was in such a horrid state, she still possessed a beauty. There's the gift of Aphrodite for you.

Then a horrible roar cut through my thoughts. I had a feeling that my happy moment was about to be ruined... and I was right. I turned around just in time to see the Minotaur grab Elliott and throw him across the cavern. As he hit the wall with a sickening thud, Ella's eyes snapped open, and I let out a scream.

I just know that the beautiful button down there is calling out to you...

"insert name here, I just know that you want to click on me! Cliiiiiick on meeeeee..... don't resist the pull...."

There ya have it. REVIEW!!!